Anything can happen in the Bronx.
The Boston College Eagles (7-5) will play the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-6) in Saturday's Pinstripe Bowl.
Many opt-outs, who served as staples on their respective teams, will be present in this bowl game.
Boston College started the season with something to prove: stunning the country and beating Florida State. However, as we saw the Seminoles play throughout the season, that win wasn’t so impressive. After BC's 4-1 start, it went 3-4 to finish the season.
Nebraska was also red hot to start the season, going 5-1 and losing five out of the final six games. Some would say it was disappointing (especially me since I picked them to make the playoffs).
Still, making a bowl game, which evaded the Huskers for the past eight seasons, is a fine consolation prize.
Nebraska is a 4-point favorite on the spread with a 46.5-point over/under.
Check out my Boston College vs Nebraska predictions and college football picks for the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Boston College Eagles vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, Picks
- Boston College vs Nebraska Pick: Boston College +4
My Boston College-Nebraska best bet is on the Eagles to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at Caesars, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Boston College vs. Nebraska Odds, Line, Spread
| Boston College Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 46.5 -115o / -105u | +145 |
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 46.5 -115o / -105u | -170 |
- Boston College vs. Nebraska Spread: Nebraska -3.5, Boston College +3.5
- Boston College vs. Nebraska Over/Under: 46.5 Points
- Boston College vs. Nebraska Moneyline: Nebraska -170, Boston College +145
Boston College vs. Nebraska Pinstripe Bowl Betting Preview
Boston College Eagles Betting Preview: A New Era?
The Eagles overturned the offense mid-season when they removed Thomas Castellanos as their starting quarterback and inserted Grayson James.
In turn, Castellanos entered the portal and signed on with Florida State.
It’ll be fascinating to monitor how James does in this matchup. The FIU transfer helped catapult the downtrodden Eagles into bowl eligibility with two wins to cap the season.
He completed 69% of his passes, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing score in those starts. He also solidified a great rapport with receivers Reed Harris and Lewis Bond.
You can also expect the Eagles to run the ball a whole lot. Kye Robichaux will never dazzle you, but he’ll wear you down. He garners a ton of volume and welcomes contact.
Nebraska doesn't defend well against the run, ranking 103rd nationally in Rush Success Rate allowed.
Does that fit into the Eagles’ game plan? It seems to. I expect Robichaux to have a significant presence in this game.
One possible omission is star EDGE rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who ranks second nationally with 16.5 sacks. Ezeiruaku, who just won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Award, is still weighing whether to suit up, though he is listed on the bowl depth chart.
Losing him could be significant to the frontline, as BC ranks 42nd in Pass Success Rate allowed and 73rd in Explosiveness allowed. However, Quintavious Hutchins, who had a fantastic year, could be due for a more significant role.
I have no qualms about the secondary, as KP Price and Carter Davis are more than capable defensive backs. However, the ability to generate pressure on the quarterback will be something to watch.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview: Next Man Up
The Huskers will be short-handed in this battle. Dylan Raiola will be suiting up, but his favorite weapon, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, has opted out with eyes on the NFL Draft while running back Dante Dowdell and tight end Nate Boerkircher hit the portal.
With Neyor out, who’s going to be catching Raiola’s passes?
Jahmal Banks will be his favorite target, who averages 12.7 yards per catch and has reached paydirt thrice.
It also opens the door for sophomore Jaylen Lloyd, who saw limited receptions but made the most of his opportunities, averaging almost 21 yards per catch.
Even with Dowdell out, I still think Nebraska’s run game thrives. The Huskers rank 42nd nationally in Rush Success Rate and 39th in PPA. Expect Emmett and Rahmir Johnson to carry the load, each amassing at least 4.5 yards per carry.
I wonder about this defense heading into this game. Defensive coordinator Tony White left town to become the DC for Florida State, and these key players have hit the portal:
- LB Mikai Gbayor
- DE Jamari Butler
- LB Stefon Thompson
- OLB Princewill Umanmielen
- OLB James Williams
For a defense that ranks 31st in Pass Play Success Rate allowed, 24th in Havoc and 19th in points per opportunity, these are significant losses.
Defensive backs Malcolm Hartzog Jr., Isaac Gifford and Ceyair Wright will be a nice luxury, but you’d have to imagine that BC takes advantage of a depleted front line.
Nebraska vs. Boston College Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Nebraska and Boston College match up statistically:
Boston College Offense vs. Nebraska Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 84 | 51 | |
| Line Yards | 84 | 42 | |
| Pass Success | 85 | 95 | |
| Havoc | 57 | 29 | |
| Finishing Drives | 40 | 17 | |
| Quality Drives | 61 | 23 | |
Nebraska Offense vs. Boston College Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 33 | 27 | |
| Line Yards | 40 | 32 | |
| Pass Success | 61 | 65 |  |
| Havoc | 75 | 45 | |
| Finishing Drives | 113 | 53 | |
| Quality Drives | 64 | 82 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 22 | 39 |
| PFF Coverage | 45 | 78 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 123 | 120 |
| Middle 8 | 78 | 23 |
| Seconds per Play | 29.1 (118) | 28.3 (104) |
| Rush Rate | 64% (12) | 51% (85) |
How to Bet My Boston College vs. Nebraska Pick
When the lines opened at the beginning of the month, Nebraska was favored by 6.5 points, but that number rapidly dropped to 4.5.
As the month went on, the line steadily remained at 2.5 from the 11th to the 23rd before hitting an even 4.
I think the uncertainty of Ezeiruaku’s status has created some hesitation for oddsmakers, though I don’t think it will have that much impact.
Momentum is in Boston College’s favor with a new outlook, a fresh quarterback who has won over his teammates and a struggling run defense on the other side of the field.
This game will be won on the ground, as much as Raiola will look to take over. Expect Robichaux to get at least 20 carries as the Eagles keep it close for 60 minutes.
Pick: Boston College +4
Boston College vs. Nebraska Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
| Location: | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY |
| Date: | Saturday, Dec. 28 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ABC |
Boston College vs. Nebraska will be played at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 12 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on ABC.
Boston College vs. Nebraska Betting Trends
Boston College vs. Nebraska Weather
